I know this sounds weird whenever I tell people but the more weight I lose, the more my lower back hurts. I have degenerative disc disease and some herniated discs in my lower back and arthritis as well. I also have some herniated discs in my upper back (between my shoulder blades) and in my neck. The pain is getting worse throughout my spine as I lose weight, but I notice it the most in my lower back. I have lost 20 pounds since the beginning of June and I have always found that in my own personal experience, the less I weigh, the more my back hurts. I know – it doesn’t make sense – doctors look at me like I’m nuts – but the pain I feel is very real and it is getting worse.
I feel better otherwise – I have more energy, my leg and knee pain has decreased – but the back pain is worse. I am hoping that someone will read this and will be able to tell me that they have heard of this happening to someone else they know or something. Any thoughts?
Loss of butt padding? When I gained weight from 100 to 130 lbs, and went from having a bony butt to a round one, I was able to drive a long longer before getting stiff and sore, and no longer needed to use a pillow at my lower back.
OMG I thought it was my imagination! I have similar back issues. I’ve lost 30 pounds in the past 1 years with 20 of it being in the past 8 months or so. I’ve got continuous stabbing pain in the shoulder blade area and my lower back is so bad sometimes I can’t stand up straight. Let’s not even go there about the neck and resulting headaches.
I had laughingly told my hubby about a month or so ago that losing weight had increased my back pain. I was joking at the time. But the more weight I lose, the worse it gets. I’ve still got at least 20 to go and if at all possible another 10 after that.
If you run across something about this, send it my way. I’ll try to find some research this week and if I see anything, I’ll let ya know!!
Thanks for posting this. I hadn’t connected the two until reading your experience.
Sorry to hear the same thing is happening to you, but I’m glad to know I’m not nuts! I thought it was just me! That’s why I like writing on this site. I never feel alone. I will keep reasearching it and will let you know if I find something.
I thought it was just me. I am so glad I am not crazy. I have lost almost 100 pounds in a year, on my own without surgery, and my back and hip pain is getting worse.
Omg me too. I don’t understand. I’ve lost 93 lbs this year and my lower body (lower back, hips and knees) hurt so much more. I want to cry
That is me to n the doc just said its because of my weight i even feel really sick with the pain
I have lost 62 pounds in one year just changing my eating habit and my back,shoulders,and knees are killing me would love to know what’s going on
I as well have had been suggested to that loosing weight would help my lower, mid back, and hip pain….. As well as low intensity exercise and stretching….. So I started dieting, working on eliminating thing that overwhelmed and stressed me out because stress make my weight jump up dramatically. So I did yoga for a short period but it made my back hurt in a new spot which now everything hurts even more after loosing 37 pounds between December and now which is beginning of May. I hoped for sure the weight loss and stress relief would help the pain but it hurt now more than ever!!!! I’m atleast happy knowing I’m not the only weirdo out here ….. Hopefully one of us gets some answers or gets pointed in a productive direction for finding out what’s wrong with us
I know why. I have lost 60 pounds and my backsometimes aches so I researched it. When you lose weight your posture and spinal alignment changes. Remember, you do not walk with a flat belly like you do with a Buddha belly. Heavy breasts can affect posture, so can just having less weight to carry. Maybe you walk faster or stand longer than your body is used to. Your body will need to realign itself or maybe you will need physical therapy or a chiropractor or orthopedist to help it along. Just ask yourself, what exactly is different now from before I lost the weight? Activities? Activity level? How often you sit or lay down? Have you lost weight on your bum, breasts or belly? Asking is the first step. Good luck!
I pray that this is the situation for me…thank you for the insight. I will contact a chiropractor soon.
Same thing started happening to me! I’ve lost 80lbs so far and started having shooting pain down my left leg after the 1st 50 lbs. Improved after working with a chiropractor, then lost another 30lbs & the pain is unbearable. Learned through an MRI yesterday that I now have a severe herniation in my lumber area (L-5) that is pressing on my sciatic nerve bundle. No accident or incident/injury stands out — only difference is the weight loss. So this whole realignment theory makes a lot of sense. Perhaps if I’d done some core strengthening work as I lost the weight — might not have happened. Seeing a surgeon on Friday as the chiropractor can’t do anything at this point. Hopefully she’ll have a solution!
Thank You!! I have the same issue and have heard that it’s the alignment. I had more pain when I got orthopedic shoes. The doc said to not wear them so that my muscles aren’t strained. I have degenerative disc disease as well. Glad to know I’m not crazy. My doc did give me some creams that reduce inflammation and has some lidocaine. those are a lifesaver. Heat and ice also work along with stretching.
Your are correct, about the body realigning. At the slimming club I attend, a very obese lady who lost a lot of weight was in agony with her back and was told by a back specialist the same thing.
Thank you for your common sense approach. I agree wholeheartedly and just hope my pain subsides over time
I two suffer the same an I’ve only lost 10kgs but I then read apparently if the Pl ur loosing the most weight is ur tummy then apparently ur Tummy could of been acting as support the fat in it yeah could of been acting as support for ur back an now ur loosing it ur back is loosing support an the only way to stop it is to replace it with muscle so lower tummy toning an upper tummy toning an exercises to increase bum muscles etc hope u worked out ur problem N corrected it
I too have experienced the same for approx 10 months. I have done extensive physiotherapy without relief. There are a lot of comments of people experiencing similar, has anyone actually found relief???
I am experiencing mid back side pain after the loss of 30 lbs. I’ve had severe ddd mist of my life and have had several surgeries. I’m also an occupational therapist and must agree that it all has to do with your spine realigning itself as your weight shifts. Besides seeing a therapist, one of the best things that you can do for yourself is strive to keep your weight stable. Good luck!
I have exactly the same problem. Lost 30lb in a couple months. Pain fluctuates between upper right and centre back. Doesn’t help anybody, or me, but you know you are not on your own.
Same – I lost 35 lbs in 2 months. Numb/tingling between shoulder blades began about 10 lbs ago. Looking for solutions too. I thought I was crazy thinking it was due to my weight loss.
Have u gotten any relief I have been feeling like I been in a fight with a electric fence sometimes after losing 50 lbs . Help
I’ve lost almost 50 pounds over the summer and in the past month I’ve had so much back pain
I have been in this exact same situation for over a year now and, like others I am reading above and below, I thought I was the only person in the world suffering from this same issue. I have always been an active person and love hiking in the Rockies. Now I cannot walk 100 feet without severe lower back pain. I went to a spine surgeon and he said I am not a candidate for surgery and sent me to a pain management specialist. In six months I have had diagnostic facet injection, steroid injections and a procedure called a Rhizotomy. They burn the nerve endings with a laser. Nothing has worked and the extreme pain continues. My next plan is for a spinal cord stimulator to be implanted. I have read extensive reports and conducted personal interviews with past patients of the procedure. It seems to work on everyone I have spoken with. I eat meals on a regular basis, I have not lost my appetite, only eat smaller portions. Exercise is a waste of time because the pain simply comes back with more intensity afterwards. Except for riding my recumbent bicycle. No pain while doing it but afterwards, the pain intensifies. At least reading that there are others out there who suffer from the same pains is a small comfort to know others “feel my pain”. A disgusting quote from Bill Clinton.
Same problem with me, I lost 25 Kgs and suffered a herniated L4/L5 disc for no apparent reason and no doctor would believe me. I tried various treatments but to no avail, in the end, ozone therapy worked for me, but prior to that an epidural injection was given, the combination of both allowed me to walk again after being bedridden for 3 months.
Wendellj
Very curious about those spinal cord stimulator patients with implanted results you have? I have NOT done nearly the extensive research you have done . because the little bit of research I did,was enough to make me NOT want to get it done.. most of the folks I read comments from had to have it done over and over 3 or 4 times with different brands etc before it worked. I’m not sure if these were handpicked patients that you were given or people you randomly found?
But my main question on these spinal cord stimulators that I don’t seem to be able to find info on that i’m looking for is this. if you or ANYONE ELSE CAN answer for me is this. what are the limitation / restrictions with these things? example?
what sports can’t you play with it?
can I go in the Hot tub with it?
can I do Yoga and stretching classes and workout classes with this thing no problem without wireless splitting?
stuff like that
thanks
Frank
I thought I was going nuts myself with this problem, I have lost almost 60 pounds and my lower back spasms all the time now, what can I do to stop it?
I have been having the same issue recently. I’ve lost about 37 lbs since Jan 2019.. Over the last week or two, I’ve started having lower back pain all acroos by back. I’ve also experienced really painful back spasms I’ve fallen several times due to this. Not sure where to go next in this journey.
Wow…funny how many people have the same issues. I have lost(not planned to) 20 pounds or so in the last year and now have low(L4/L5) back issues, degenerative disk disease with no disk space left. Fortunately cortisone injections take away the pain, but I didn’t connect it to the weight loss til I read this post. Will ask my orth Dr. about it, next visit!!! Strange, eh?
I too have loss weigbhf and the pain is getting worse.I have Ankylosing spondylitis.
Tina I too have Ankylosing Spondilitis. Since 2011! I have lost 50+ lbs in last yr because of it and now I wonder if it has cause my nerve impingements and bulging disc from my L2-L6. Also 3 in my neck too! I take methotrexate, Humira and Celebrex but inflammation and these issues still there. Taking oxycodone and Fetenyl for pain. Epidural did nothing so getting nerves in back cartaurized. Medial branch ablation I believe is what it’s called. So much pain makes me have NO APPETITE!? Any ideas for better quality of life
Me too, I have pain on upper back clavicle area, and lower back pain,had to retire befor my time ,also I’m losing weight,also having muscle spasam, doctors just look at you like I’m exaggerating
Try and get off tablets and srart swimming and weights programme. You will definitely get results. It will take patients and willpower, but end result will make it worth while. Good luck
I swim and go to the gym. Have lost 58lb in 6 months. The pain in my lower body has intensified since losing the weight. So much so that I am finding it harder to do the exercises because I am wiped out for 2 days afterwards. You think losing weight will help.
Metzie, my husband has been through all those things,too, with no relief. He has been diagnosed 4 months ago with ra in wrists and feet but the back thing is long long term.
I lost 60 lb over the last year and a couple months. My back has ddd, bone spurs a couple of compressed discs and osteoarthritis. I have dealt with back pain a long time but never to this extent! And the doctors will try anything if you let them. Prayers for all of us!
I had the gastric sleeve 08/08/18 and have had horrible back pain since. I’m only 35.Just got my MRI on Wednesday. My sister said she can feel something sticking out my back on both sides. Both hips hurt all the time. At least if I find out that it’s disc herniation I’ll have an answer but I’m so scared.
I have lost at least 20 pounds since January (didn’t need to lose them, part of my symptoms I suppose) and am now quite skinny -so not sure if it applies – but YES, not only has sitting been more difficult (bony butt here also), but I have had alot more lower back pain. I’ve been wondering if it has anything to do with the pelvic floor. Since you have IC also, might be something worth checking into.
Hi Dawn, I see the neurologist tomorrow – I’ll be asking him some questions about weight loss and back pain – hopefully I can get some answers.
That is crazy because the exact same thing is happening to me! I have fibro and all the disc problems you mentioned. I recently started a new treatment for fibro and it is getting better but I’ve also been losing weight (about 20 pounds) unintentionally and my back pain, specifically lower back, is getting much worse. I had never thought of a relationship between the two until I just saw this post. I will be following to see if anyone has any answers.
I lost 47 PDS and have facet arthropathy with degeneration of cartilage between L-5 and S-1. I also have degeneration in two compartments of my knee and bone spurs in my legs. I have had pain for while, but I have never felt pain so severe I have to lie down and force my body to move because my body is afraid of moving. I almost wish I had never lost the weight. PS also experiencing muscle spasms that are also more dehabiliting than ever. Worst pain in my life.
Hi – I have this too and after losing 27 pounds. I thought it might have been due to caffeine. I used to get terribly bloated from coffee but since I went salt-free I could drink all the coffee I wanted. So I’m trying to end coffee to see if that helps. Other than that, the only think I can think of is that after losing weight we might be changing our posture and holding ourselves differently, engaging different muscles? Mine is a muscle ache – not really bad but I really feel it when I bend forward, and I’ve always been flexible. I’ve had this backache over a month, never had back problems before although I do have porous bones – osteopenia so I’m taking more Calcium/Vit D/Mag.
Hi I just read your post about pain, You said that you were swelling but went salt free so you could drink coffee. Did you know caffeine will dehydrate you. Your organs and joints need water, so if you are drinking a lot of caffeine it is pulling the fluid out of you. You might want to research about lack of hydration to body and symptoms. Hope this information helps you.
I am so glad that it is not only me! I only lost five pounds so far, my family says that I lost more than that but I can’t tell. Anyways, I started to feel this back pain after the weight loss. I been taking these vitamins, and working out for about two months now. I feel very energetic, I am not as tired as before but my back hurts. People tell me I might be over working myself at the gym but I haven’t gone for two weeks now and the back pain is worst than coming back from an intense workout.
I am not a doctor, but my hypothesis is that when you way alot you are placing significant pressure on your back. Only when you lose weight, do you release that pressure. My question is whether it this pain lasts or is only temporary?
Ed I’m thinking along those lines myself. It just seems that my weight has been causing nerve numbness in a sense. Then when I lose some weight and it only has to be 5 pounds to cause more pain than usual. Which I believe is the reason the nerve wakes up in a sense. And it’s a good bit of pain. Just my thoughts on it. Good luck to us all on losing weight and easing the pain.
Hi,
Same thing happened to me you know! Only that my weight loss was deliberate. I made significant changes to my diet, stopped eating certain types of food, etc. When I got the results I wanted – to lose weight – I was so happy. Not anymore … I have very bad lower back pain and numbness and tingling in left foot. Awful! My manual therapist says that my body tries to readjust itself to my new weight and the more significant the weight loss the more time will be necessary for the body to adjust. I hope she’s right. First neurologist I saw was as baffled as I was. He just couldn’t see any reason for my problems. Hope you got an answer, Sandy, and a good one at that.
How you are losing weight is important. Are you losing body fat or are you losing muscle mass, please check. Its easy to lose weight unhealthily. But, if you are losing weight by healthy meal plan, than there won’t be any issues.
I have lost around 20 lbs of body fat in last 4 months, and i’m perfect healthy, fresh, look younger and lots of compliments.
You say you have numbness in one of your feet.It would be wise for your doctor to send you for an MRI just to be sure your problem is not in your spine.I had surgery in November last year 2016 which involved removal of a meningioma from my upper spine.The doctors initially all thought I had lower back problem and I wasted a precious time doing physio sessions.Finally when I visited my neurologist on appointment in early November his face became very serious when he realised I could barely walk un attended.He quickly sent me for the whole back’s MRI. When he saw the MRI report he was shocked and explained that I had cervical meningioma that was dangerously pushing against the spinal cord and of course the nerves, thus the numbness and weakness in the legs.I also lost my appetite completely in hospital and since then have been eating very little.(lost about 15 Kgs!). Doctors, kindly explain to us the reason for the sudden weight loss.
Lucy, Kenya
I am so glad to know this is not just me! How strange though! I, too, have lost 25 lbs (seems to be the common number on here) and my lower back is KILLING me. They say that strengthening your abdominal muscles helps your lower back. The thing is, when I start working out and losing weight, I am working those muscles and I also begin holding them tight all the time, which they also say is good for your lower back. I am in constant pain in that area though. Doesn’t make ANY sense to me.
I have lost between 7 to 8 stone to loose, and only about half way there, however I have been told because of so much weight to loose, the loose skin will cause my spine to get very painful again, like it’s at the moment.
Is that correct? I’d appreciate a reply.
I have the same problem. I lost 105 lbs. in a year (deliberately). Although I feel wonderful, I have terrible back pain. NEVER like I do now. I do a lot of walking, treadmill, and stationary bike riding. I had to miss 2 weeks of work this past spring because of lower back pain and now I have pain in my thoracic area. When I had the pain last spring I had 8 sessions of physical therapy. The therapists showed me how to strengthen my core and I still do some of the exercises. I should mention, I had a c-section and an abdominal hyst. and now, because of the weight loss, I have “jelly belly” that I absolutely cannot get rid of. I wonder if a tummy tuck would help with the back pain and support. If I don’t take some ibuprofen, I am in complete agony.
I have the same thing. Ibuprofen really doesn’t do much. A heating pad helps, until the next day at work and it starts again.
I have lost 70 lbs since the 1st week of August under a supervised program, and I am having persistent back pain for the first time in my life. I am running quite a bit, but before I put on weight I had run 4 marathons. The doctor supervising my diet suggested the drastic weight loss is causing the muscles to pull the spine out of alignment, and that I need to do exercises to strengthen by abdominal muscles. I am not particularly soft in the middle, but I am working on my abs and I hope this will relieve my back pain. I am also glad that I am not imagining things.
I went looking for explanations for my recent back pain and found these comments here. I am glad I am not crazy and that others have had the same experiences. I have lost 28 lbs since the end of August and 70 lbs in the last year and a half. Within the last 3 weeks or so have been experiencing terrible back pain. I figured it must be due to losing weight rapidly after being so overweight for so long, but it is nice to hear similar stories to confirm. My doctor said that I need to stick with my diet and exercise (30 more pounds to go) and eventually my body will adjust to my new weight.
I have lost 47 pounds on purpose and have always had back pain but still could function, but now that I have been lost weight, as a matter of fact lowest weight I have ever been in my entire adult life. I have been experiencing pain in my lower back and legs so severe that I am finding that I am having to lie down in the middle of the day and having to motivate my body to even think about moving. Because even though I have alot of pain in one position body seems to think moving will make it worse.let me know what doc said to you please.
I heard that when you lose weight, your organs shift around, causing lower back pain. Has anyone heard of this? An Exercise Phisiologist Doctor mentioned this in a seminar he gave at my company.
I am, and have experienced the same thing while loosing weight after the birth of ALL three of my children. The pain did disappear completely after about a year. Still have no explanation for the pain.
My son told me about this site as he lives in the USA. What a relief as I have shed 4 stone and have loads more to go but thought i was going mad as i am in the most awful pain in my lower back. I have a hernia so know my lower abdoman is non existent and my back must work overtime to hold me upright but blimey i feel the weight around my middle which i never did before since loosing the 56lbs and everyone says you will feel lighter. I also think its to do with the toxins stored in the fat cells that need to find somewhere else to go so are making the muscles feel more sore. I also read a book on somatics a out how the body muscles can go into a tightening and you do not know its doing it. this then stesses our other muscles and they all become sore due to working all the time.
Please realize that when you lose weight, whether intentional or not, there will be structural changes that occur to the body that are often not noticed by the untrained eye. When a spinal column has adapted to a certain weight and structural position, it tends to be in a state of homeostasis and “comfortable”, for lack of better terminology. The loss of body weight creates a sudden change in structure, and subsequently homeostasis is gone. Often times the will be body alignment alterations, muscle position changes, and a widening of the IVF or inter-vertebral foramen. The combination of these can cause swelling and a general irritation to the body, resulting in pain. The good news is that the body will once again adapt and the pain will go away. In my practice I see pain that will last a few days, a few weeks, or be intermittent for the duration of the progressive weight loss. It is important to work on conditioning the “core” musculature off the body to help minimize any negative side effects of weight loss. Again, just remember that it is temporary.
But that doesn’t answer why there is pain with loss of weight but not with the gain of it. In both cases there is, if there is, structural changes.
I have chronic pain in my lower back, knees and ankles due to arthritis and find it almost impossible to excercise and yet I am desperately needing to lose weight as I am somewhat obese standing 5ft tall and weighing 215lbs what can I do? At this point I am willing to deal 28th the back pain if losing weight will ease the knee and ankle pain, better to deal with 1 rather than three
Sweetie I saw your post I was in the exact same boat. I’m 35 and had a hysterectomy last year that left me post menopausal very young and the weight problem got worse. I was already overweight and I didn’t need the hysterectomy making it worse. I started by cutting out all wheat and gluten. I lost 20lbs from just that in just 2 months. I then went further and cut all other starch, potatoes and rice for example, I immediately last 44 lbs. I’m now down 80lbs and weighing in at 144. Give it a try it’ll be hard for the first two weeks but it’s incredible the results!
Thank you for you explanation. I’ve lost 80 lbs this year on the kerogen in diet. SSixty-five pounds on purpose and the other 15 after I hurt my thoracic spine and cervical spine through stupidity and couldn’t eat. I wondered about going from a couch potato to walking 10,000 steps a day was the problem, then this last bout with my back I wondered about all the weight in 10 months. It makes sense now
Thanks for your post. 10,000 steps per day. You must be walking several miles. Amazing!
Thanks all. I am having this issue right now. Ab exercises make sense but I haven’t done them yet (because I hadn’t thought of them).
Stretching did help me some (especially after using heat). Also heat (hot tub and heat pad)
And I used a towel to support my lower back when sitting or laying. Time to reach for my toes
Don’t!!! I was able to do that and reached a certain age and that is when i herniated the disc that is probably the bane of my DDD problems now. I did some research and read that it is absolutely the WORST thing you can do for your spine.
Soooo glad I found this discussion and the comments from Doc J (hoping he’s a real doctor)I’ve been losing weight intentionally for about 6 weeks and the back pain I’m feeling is along my spine about the middle of my back. I especially feel it when I’m doing something while standing, like cooking or folding laundry. But I also have it when I sit erect during my morning meditation. The pain isn’t constant and immediately goes away when I lie down. I have about 65 more pounds to lose so I imagine there’ll be more kinks to workout. Why isn’t this common knowledge? Would’ve saved me, and I guess quite a few others, some concern.
The exact description of my issues! I’ve lost 30 lbs Intentionally with proper diet the past 10 weeks. I wasn’t expecting the random burning mid- back pain along my spine!
Like others, I hope as I stabilize at this weight, the pain will subside.
Thanks everyone!
I have the exact problem, I was thinking my decrease in calories and protien could be to blame. Along with core weakening. I had drastic weight loss quickly due to stomach cancer. Cancer gone, along with 70% of my stomach. So I’m eating tiny meals.
The burning, cramping pain is really making it hard to do my desk job.
Hi again. My back pain from weight loss FINALLY went away after a year of having it! My comment is Sept 1 above. I have lost 40 pounds and I have no other medical issues – I found this discussion because I think it’s the only one on the entire web about this!
BUT I think it was actually because dieting makes me constipated and after being that way for a long time the maybe it can lead to a constant backache? I finally took care of it and after a couple of days the backache disappeared. At least I hope that’s what it was – such a simple solution. I also appreciate Doc J’s comment and it makes a lot of sense to me, although a name and hospital affiliation would go a long way in establishing that as a confirmed medical fact.
Thanks for your kind words Sandy. I should add that I do yoga and dancing and the back pain remained through it all. It would go away with a few stretches and exercising was fine and then it always returned. You will get through it (but if you’re stoppered up you might look at that solution). Also, I find that taking too much Calcium (with Vit D and Magnesium) also causes the pain to get worse even though it’s supposed to help. I went off it altogether and now I am taking half of what they recommend and eating high-calcium food.
Wow.. I thought I was crazy too… so tonight I decided to start researching… I had gastric bypass surg 17 months ago and I have lost 165 lbs in the past year… I have severe and debilitating back pain. I have been off work off and on since December (almost 3 months).. in that time we have been through almost $20,000 dollars in tests.. MRI x2- Myelogram – CT scan – 2 epidural injections – phys therapy – xrays – Nerve Conduction Study – etc..
Finally we have found that L1-2 is bulging and L4-5 is bulging down pinching the L5-S1 nerve. I have low back pain, left buttock pain that goes into the thigh, behind knee to calf and into arch of the foot… and since phys therapy started the leg is now going asleep and pain is more severe.. they told me friday they were referring me back to the neurosurgeon and recommening surgery. I told them all about the weight loss and all they had to say was ‘fantastic!’ and “could you imagine the significant pain you would be in now if you were carrying that”! … for the 1st time i have embraced the idea of surgery because I can’t take the pain any more.. i cant go watch my kids play ball, I cant work like I need to, I cant do anything…pain pills and the couch is so depressing..I work in an area of seeing ppl in pain 24/7 and I dont want to be like that and dont want to be hooked on these pills..
gosh.. who would have thought weight loss would do this?
Marie I started bawling when I read your post. I keep turning my back on bypass because I am convinced I should be able.to do this myself. I played sports all my life until age 16 when I sufferred a broken tail bone. Since then even standing sitting laying down hurts if I do it too long. I have gained and gained because I can’t move around like I want to. The pain is excruciating. I’m wearing OTC back patches every day except for those days when my skin has had enough of the adhesive. I don’t even go to the dr. anymore about the daily acute pain because they all tell me to lose weight. They don’t want to hear me tell them the back pain started first. Sure the additioanl 100 pounds isn’t helping. I used to 2x a week to a gym and all I can do is use the treadmill with the long rails. I end up lifting my upper body up to walk. I drive home crying in pain. I can do a 20 minute mile. I am active at home with 3 teenagers. I read these comments and nearly died because it feels like there is no hope for me if losing weigjt is going to make the back pain worse. I can’t even stand in the shower without holding my breath sending my blood pressure through the roof over the pain. Ibuprofen doesn’t help and opioid pain meds make me sicker than a dog.i don’t wanna be one of those people always on pain meds. I am going to reconsider the bypass but only because I cannot take the pain. Did you see the neurosurgeon? What did he say? My doc refuses to give me a referral to anyone other than the weightloss doc. He says once I have the surgery we can talk about the back pain. Feeling blackmailed a bit.
Hi I have the exact same weight loss and I have more to go but the more weight I lose, the worse the pain gets. I hope you still have the same email address cuz I really want to know what you did and how it’s turned out for you
HAve lost 8kg over the last 2 months through exercise and reduced food intake. Have always had the “occasional” lower back problem but it has been constant for the last 3-4 weeks. The comments here seem to support my thoughts on the cause.
I have lost about 27 pounds in approx. two months and started feeling a strong muscle ache throughout my back whenever I was sitting for a little while. Being a massage therapist I thought it might have to do with the body adjusting, but came here looking for confirmation. I’m glad to hear the suggestions here and that it does eventually go away.
I lost 80 lbs and felt dreadful as I’ve never had any physical problems before at all. But as my weight decreased back pain was making me sad and irritable all of the time. Nobody was telling me why. I’ve regained my weight because my mood and back feel sooo much better at this higher weight. The trade off is a little embarrassing socially and professionally, so, I do want to try again. Now I have some logical answers that will help me plan my next try. Thanks to everyone who shared.
Wow- My Dr. referred me to Physical Therapy because of my back pain. I recently loss 30lbs my lower back problem started about 2 mths ago. I related it to stationary bike @ gym because I noticed increas in pain the day after using the bike. Physical Therapist said I had a lot going on 1-my organs are all out of place and 2-I have scaring from a C-section I had 18yrs ago 3-she is 99% sure I have a broken coccyx.(I did injure it about 5-6yrs ago riverrafting, fell out & hit a boulder butt first-Iwas in pain couldn’t sit for months but never went to Dr.) I was also told I should have an abdominal ultra sound becase of possible desending aorta, or something like that. I have an appointment tomorrow & hope this pain goes away soon-I’d hate to gain back the weight I work so hard on to lose! need to get back to working out.
I, too, am having lower back issues with my weight loss. Depending on how much weight you need to lose, it is to be expected that you will experience some pain in your lower back. As your body adjusts to your new weight, you will see a decline in the amount of pain you are experiencing. Basically, your body stretches back to it original state, or as close to it as humanly possible. Best of Luck!
Thank goodness I found this thread. I’ve lost about 30 lbs since March 1, and have had bouts of really bad back/neck/shoulder muscle aches ever since. Even as I type I’m nursing a terribly sore neck that’s been going on for about 2 days. There were definitely some useful tips here- and reading the thread shed some light on what I’m going through, so thank you to all of you for contributing to the discussion. I’ll be checking back for updates, and will hopefully post one of my own in a few months, hopefully another 50-60 lbs lighter and back-pain free!
I had the gastric in 2004 at 366lbs. I lost down to 277lbs before I started having severe back pain. I stopped all exercise and went back to what I knew to help pain, food. So Since 2004 I have stayed between 300lbs and 280lbs If I start to gain over 300lbs, I experience knee and ankle pain. Every time I drop down toward 280lbs or less.. I have the worst back pain. I finally figured out this pattern about two years ago. I had decided that my back was suffering because of the fat hump that normally supports my back goes first when I loss weight 🙂 Reading the post that I have read today helps me understand that I am not weird. 🙂 I have been losing weight for the last few months and currently have on a back brace, longline bra and sit with extra back support while at work. It give me hope to understand that I need to strength my core and most of this is muscle pain that will eventually go away when my body had adjusted to my weight loss. I plan on working thru this pain. Thanks so much everyone for sharing your experience.
I have been down this roller coaster twice and it makes sense to me that the body needs to to adjust. I will fight through it and try to meet my goal. Then I will do everything to stay at that goal. Good luck to everyone and thanks for all the posts. It saves me a visit to the doctor.
Wow this is some very useful information!!! I standing here in tears not knowing rather to sit or stand. I have lost a total of 45 pounds this year and now my lower lumbar is killing me!!! I’m very happy I found this website.. Once I started reading everyone else stories it all made sense!! Thanks to all!!
I know exactly how you feel! It’s gotten to the point where nothing I do offers any type of relief. It hurts to sit, hurts to stand, hurts to bend over, hurts to lay down. So just on a whim I thought I’d see if there were any internet articles out there on this type of pain. At least I know I’m not alone!
So glad I found this thread. I just lost 60lbs in almost 5 months and my back has been getting worse and worse with every pound lost. I was worried that maybe I was losing muscle or bone mass but I eat very healthy and exercise so I guess I’ll wait to see if it gets better with my new body. I type this on my phone as I lay here on the couch in pain. It’s my spine all the way down my back; mostly my middle back. When I was heavy, my lower back always hurt but it was because of my heavy stomach. Now, with no tummy, it’s my middle back and most of my spine. The body adjusting topic makes sense and gives me a lot of hope. Was wondering: what calcium supplements should I take to make sure my bones are healthy? I’m a 26 year old, Active male. Thanks all. Also; any sleeping positions recommended for middle back pain? I tried the lower back tricks but it simply doesn’t make a difference. Ahhhh, I need a back-pain pen-pal! 🙂
Michael,
I am struggling right now w/lower back pain. It is frustrating. I do know a few things though, It’s not because you lost weight. You probably have week stomach muscles and need to find safe exercises to build them up.
If you sleep on your side you should put a pillow between your legs, from the knee to the ankle this will align your spine. If you have health Insurance, you really should go to your orthopedic doctor and get a physical, sleep positions and an exercise routine. You may be doing one thing wrong that is straining those muscles. Technique is important…good luck.
Marianne
I, too, am glad to have found this site. I have also been suffering pain related to weight loss. However, my pain is in my hip joints, and not my back and all. Both my hip joints have suffered quite a bit of deterioration, but the pain level was stable and bearable, until I began to lose weight. I lost about 25 pounds last fall, and, like others who’ve posted here, I thought perhaps it was related to loss of “padding.” The pain was the most intense for me when lying in bed at night, so I thought that having less fat gave me less “cushion,” and that was what caused pain. Then I stop dieting, and the increased pain stopped, too. I gained back about 10 pounds, and the pain neither increased nor decreased. Then, this last week, I started dieting again, and lost 4 pounds. The increased pain returned with a vengeance. I now have the highest pain level ever. It doesn’t seem logical to me that the loss of 4 pounds would be sufficient to cause any postural or structural change, and it certainly isn’t sufficient to have decreased any amount of “padding.” Also, since my pain increases primarily while I’m in bed, it also doesn’t make sense that they increased pain would be due to postural changes. I am forced to surmise that the increased pain is somehow related to a non-structural process; perhaps biochemical, hormonal, enzymatic, and/or some other process, perhaps related to increased toxicity, which is increasing the levels of inflammation I experience.
I regret to throw a “wrench in the works,” so to speak, but I am having extraordinarily increased pain, not in my back, and directly related to weight loss dieting. I would be very interested to hear if anyone else is experiencing increased pain levels,related to dieting, in areas other than the back. Also, I would be interested to hear any theories as to the cause of dieting related pain increases, other than postural and structural, as I feel certain these are not the causes, at least not in my case. And I can’t imagine that I’m so unique, that no one else has had experiences similar to mine.
This is my exact problem. Ive lost 30kg in 6 months and only feel pain when lying down at night. usually when i try to get up again. it could be my hip. ive never had this sort of pain before. its almost impossible to get out of bed due to the pain, yet as soon as i stand up the pain goes away. during the day no pain. lie down for a few hours – searing pain.
My wife has had serious back problems the last few years and back specialist told her thin bodies allow much more torque and twisting to spine. I have lost around 7 pounds the last month and suddenly have major low back pain. I am definitely aware of more flexing and twisting in low back as the pounds come off. I imagine it takes some time for the spine to readjust to the greater range of movement. I have been religious about core work and stretching the last several years so core strength doesn’t seem to be the issue.
So does anyone got a real explanation from their doctor? I just lost 40 lbs in the last 7 month and for the last month my lower back pain in getting so bad I have to work hunched over. It’s making my regular excersize routine difficult like swimming, running and tennis , but Pilate and yoga is fine
Here are some interesting sites that address this:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/303817-back-pain-while-losing-weight/
http://getbackpainrelieve.com/back-pain-cures-prevention/back-pain-due-to-losing-weight/
My back pain had started to subside and then would flare up again. Some days I don’t need Advil at all now but I had back pain for a year while losing 40 pounds. Now it’s finally going away for good (I hope).
After reading these and other articles recently, I determined that I needed to strengthen my core muscles. Keep in mind that this is after having checkups and determining there was nothing wrong. Doctors couldn’t explain it either and didn’t seem to believe me. I do carry a heavy purse around out of necessity and my exercises did put strain on my back. That includes walking (with a purse).
Like everything else, the right answer is no mystery – losing weight requires lowering your food intake and you might easily be depriving your muscles of necessary nutrients, and your lower back is what holds you up and will feel this deprivation.
I have always gained weight around my middle while my legs stayed skinny. They talk about body types but I think a lot of it is how you use your body and I thought maybe I don’t use my core enough so it lacks strength.
Core strengthening also helps your balance! Good old-fashioned crunches plus newer fancier exercises are all good. (Strengthening your abdomen as well as your lower back is important for supporting your back.) A good one is getting on all fours and lifting and straighteneing one leg behind and the opposite arm in front.
Well my post didn’t appear but here’s the short version. I found some articles online that address this. Makes sense to me that a restricted diet will restrict some loss of nutrients that can cause bone and muscles to break down, even if you exercise, espcially as your back becomes more flexible? So now I’m doing lower back and abdominal exercises.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/303817-back-pain-while-losing-weight/
The doctors mentioned don’t seem to know what is causing this. My own neuro looked at me with a blank stare. When I was young it required 20 or 30 pounds of weight lose for the pain to kick in. My lower back pain would make it difficult to walk upright and my neck pain would make it difficult to turn my head. Now at 47, just a pound or 2 of weight lose causes the pain to kick in. Alana is absolutely right, it can’t be because of structural issues, organs moving around etc.. The fat supporting the back also seems unlikely given how little weight lose now causes the pain. The posters doctor who said the pain would have been much worse if he hadn’t lost all that weight is also wrong, in fact, the pain was caused by the weight lose. The most likely explanation is inflammation from the burning of fat. Advil is the only thing that I have found reduces the pain. Advil reduces inflammation. The inflammation is likely caused by the self regulating fat hormones throwing your system out of wack causing inflammation and an possible autoimmune response making it worse. The 3 main self regulating hormones that are secreted by fat cells are below.
Leptin is involved in appetite control.
Resistin is a hormone that increases insulin resistance.
Adiponectin lowers the blood sugar by making your body more insulin sensitive.
Yup, I have low back pain when I do exercises to lose my belly fat, bad experience.
Thanks for the info!
I am a physical therapist who has degenerative discs in lower and mid back. I work out 3 times a week with low impact cardio, 3 times a week on “safe” core and resistance training. I’m 52 and getting a little paunch. I recently went on a resitricted calorie diet, 2000 calories a day, avoiding bad carbs and bad fat. After losing 8-10 lbs my back and neck have been killing me. For the life of me I can’t make sense of it! I’ve been dieting for 1 month and am considering going back to my status quo. Crazy.
Continuing the above comments. I know that the intervertebral discs loose water as we age, this explains our gradual loss of height. What if our discs loose fluid as we loose weight causing the facet joints to compact down on each other inflaming adjacent tissues and nerves. My back feels stonger and less vulnerable when I am ten pounds heavier. (So much for my six pack abs.)
I’m so happy to see a physical therapist contributing to this, and with similar problems. Thank you for adding to the discussion! Inflammation in my case is definitely the culprit, whether it’s from toxins in the fatty tissues being released, or reduction in “stabilizing” fat stores across the back (my back fat was so solid I couldn’t put my shoulders back properly)…. it’s definitely a real problem and more diagnosticians and therapists should know about this!
Add me to the list. Lost 20 kg 2 years ago, and now I am woken up every morning around 4am with lower bac pain, which disappears once I get up and move around for 10mins or so. This has been highly consistent for 9 months, with no improvement or worsening. I figure the “curve” that now exists between my hip and rib cage results in my vertebrae slipping out if alignment as I sleep on my side. X-rays show nothing because the vertebrae slip back in place when I move around ( I feel them move!)
Most people see no relation between what they eat and their back’s strength and health. Just like the engine in your car, your body needs the proper nutrition so that the muscles can continue to move and support the spine. If your car runs out of gas, the engine quits and the car cannot move. If you have not eaten, your back muscles may quit working for you; they can weaken, tighten up, and become more susceptible to fatigue-related injury.
Wow. So happy I came across this thread. I also lost a lot of weight in the past year and have noticed my lower back pain increase. I found myself more susceptible to back injuries. I’ve pulled my back out twice in the past 6 months. I’ve heard about our bodies trying to adjust to the changes in our weight but I wish I knew how long it takes. 😉 I’ve gone to physio for 3 months then stopped because they thought I had improved. They really only managed the pain because 4 weeks later, I’m lying on my couch because my back went out and am in bad bad pain. I’d been more active and watching how I move or lift but this time I simply went to pet my dog, and boom, I can’t walk, stand or sit for long periods of time.
Glad I’m not the only one but I hope we all can get better soon!
I’m wondering if the back pain symptoms may be related to a product that I’m taking to help curb the appetite. It’s all natural, but still the stimulation is enough to cause high blood pressure. I’ve had some back issues for a couple of years that have nothing to do with weight. I’ve been doing just fine with yoga, streches & chiropratic. Then I decided to try to loose 5 lbs and started with a weight loss supplement. Progressively over the past 3 weeks my low back pain has become unbearable! My only relief that past weekend was muscle relaxers, ice and heat packs. I stopped taking the weight loss supplement on Saturday and Sunday less pain, today Monday 8/22 virtually no pain! I’m still observing but I think there is a link.
The skeleton is supposed to slip and slide along joints and where bone joins in the pelvis, lower back area. as the weight changes it can slip or stick in a way that pinches a nerve causing back pain. I have the same symptoms and the way to get it to go away is exercise, physical activity, inversion (hanging from the ankles), or massage/chiropractic.
I am at the same weight but lost some size due to intense bicycling activity. My belt is an inch shorter but my hips haven’t readjusted and there is pain in my hips. Eventually things will slide back into place automatically, or I could help them along with a professional.
I’m so glad I came across this thread. I have lost 30lbs in the past month (I know it’s a tad unhealthy) I started having this severe back pain that would only occur when I was standing up doing an activity such as dishes, shopping, laundry etc. I talked to my doctor about it and he said that my body is adjusting to the weight loss and it should clear up. He said imagine a couple bowling balls hanging for years from a tree branch, the branch would most likely grow to support the weight and once you remove the bowling balls the branch would over time try to grow to adjust the weight loss. Thankfully it was nothing serious.
Glad I found others like me!
Take care all
I have lost about 30 pounds over the last 6 months and have been getting lots of back pain. I have always have problems with my lower back but it definitely is getting worse. My doctor thinks that the way I am sitting is a contributing factor so I going to be mindful of my posture when sitting down.
Hello
I have the same problem I have lost 50 over 2 months and I to have been suffering with lower back pain it doesn’t make any sense when I didn’t have it before the weight loss but its annoying in the sense its stopping me from doin exercise :/ x